Month: May 2023

• Several stray dog attacks in Indian cities have highlighted the link between urban solid waste management and the stray dog problem.
• Stray Dog Attacks in India Cities have seen a significant growth in the stray dog population, which stands at 1.5 crore according to the official 2019 livestock census.
• However, independent estimates place the figure at around 6.2 crore.
• Between 2012 and 2020, the number of dog bites more than doubled.
• Experts agree that there may be a link between urbanisation and solid waste output, which has been highlighted by poor garbage disposal management.
• Tepid animal birth control initiatives, limited rescue centres, and poor waste management all contribute to the expansion of street animals in India.

Reasons for poor waste management

• Inadequate waste disposal facilities and poor solid waste management frequently result in the congregation of stray dogs near rubbish dumps and landfills, where they scrounge for food.
• Unplanned urbanisation: The population expansion in Indian cities has resulted in a significant increase in the number of stray dogs. Rapid urbanisation has resulted in the development of slums and unmanaged solid waste, both of which attract dogs.
• Food and shelter scarcity: The availability of food and shelter determines a city’s carrying capacity. In the absence of these amenities, free-roaming dogs turn into scavengers, foraging for food and finally gravitating towards exposed rubbish dumping sites.
• Territoriality: Stray dogs frequently become territorial and aggressive in public places where they are fed, leading to a rise in human attacks.
• Inadequate sterilisation and rescue centres: Tepid animal birth control initiatives, limited rescue centres, and poor waste management all contribute to the expansion of street animals in India.

India has a high rate of food waste

• The increase in population in Indian cities has contributed to a phenomenal increase in solid waste output. Every day, Indian cities generate more than 150000 metric tonnes of urban solid trash.
• According to a UNEP research published in 2021, an estimated 931 million tonnes of food available to customers ended up in the dumpsters of families, restaurants, vendors, and other food service providers in 2019.
• On average, Indian households created 50 kg of food waste per person.
• The presence of free-roaming dogs in cities is determined by the “carrying capacity” of the city, which is the availability of food and shelter.

Waste Disposal and Stray Dogs in Cities

• Food and lodging: Waste food is frequently used as a source of food for hungry, free-roaming dogs that migrate to highly inhabited regions in cities, such as urban slums, which are commonly located near dumping sites.
• In the lack of sufficient sanitation and waste disposal infrastructure, stray dogs become scavengers who scrounge for food near exposed rubbish dumping sites.

Impact of Unplanned and Unregulated Urban Development

• ABC Programme: Municipalities use the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme to trap, sterilise, and release dogs in order to reduce the dog population. This method seeks to reduce the number of stray animals while avoiding the terrible practise of murdering them.
• Rabies Control Measures: Rabies control measures, like as vaccination efforts, are another pillar of India’s reaction. Rabies is a lethal disease that is spread to humans via dog bites. Thus, preventing rabies is critical in addressing the stray dog problem.
• Informal Measures: These include mass killings of dogs in areas such as Kerala, which is a contentious practise because it is frequently brutal and does not address the underlying causes of the problem. Other methods include prohibiting stray dogs from entering colonies or feeding them in public.

Why address the issue of stray dog attacks?

• Increases the vulnerability of the poor: The unequal burden of dog bites may also fall on those living in urban slums, which are often located near dumping dumps.
• The growth in such attacks speaks to underlying issues such as a lack of serviced cheap urban housing for all, a lack of safe livelihood opportunities, and inappropriate solid waste management.”

Feeling for the stray

• Stray dogs are sentient social beings capable of feeling pain, anxiety, and delight when abandoned. Their abandonment has been greatly influenced by urban living patterns.
• Abused: They are frequently victims of neglect, abuse, and abandonment, and are forced to survive on the streets in difficult conditions.
• Neglected community guardians: Stray dogs can function as community guardians by warning us of potential hazards and providing emotional support to humans.

Way forward

• Improve waste management: Efficient management of solid waste can help reduce the availability of food for stray dogs and limit their population growth.
• Increase vaccination and sterilisation: To control the stray dog population and the spread of rabies, ABC and immunisation programmes should be performed in a more organised and effective manner.
• Encourage appropriate feeding practises: Regulating feeding near bakeries and restaurants, as well as increasing waste management in public spaces, can lower the carrying capacity of the environment for stray dogs and lessen dog crowding in some regions.
• Create a national policy: A comprehensive national policy that addresses the issue of stray dogs and their management in a more methodical and compassionate manner is required.
• Stop horrific brutality towards dogs: Stopping gruesome cruelty towards dogs is a critical step towards building a more humane and just management of the stray dog problem.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/explained-how-are-straydog-bites-related-to-poor-waste-management/article66769597.ece#:~:text=While%20there%20is%20no%20evidence,the%20mismanagement%20of%20waste%20disposal.

May 1st recalls the historic Haymarket Square incident and is known around the world as International Labour Day or May Day. The day is extremely important since it represents the struggle of workers to secure their rights. Despite being adopted by several countries, the idea of reducing working hours to improve social welfare remains a pipe dream for many in India. Instead, we witness a growing trend of extending working hours in the pretext of enhancing productivity, particularly in the textile and electronic industries.

The Importance of International Labour Day

• Respecting the labour movement: International working Day is an opportunity to recognise the working movement and the contributions of workers worldwide.
• Employees’ rights: The day is an occasion to honour employees’ hard-won rights, such as the right to fair salaries, safe working conditions, and the right to organise unions.
• Advocating for workers’ rights: International Labour Day also serves as a platform to raise awareness about the importance of protecting and advocating for workers’ rights, particularly in countries where labour laws are weak or non-existent.
• Recognising the significance of labour unions: Labour unions have been instrumental in gaining better working conditions and benefits for workers. The efforts of labour unions are recognised and honoured on International Labour Day.
• Promoting social justice: The day advocates for fair treatment of workers regardless of their gender, colour, or other factors that may lead to discrimination or exploitation.
• Struggle remembrance: International Labour Day is also a chance to reflect on historical labour battles and the sacrifices made by those who battled for workers’ rights.
• Building worker solidarity: The day promotes worker solidarity by urging workers to band together to promote their rights and push for better working conditions.

What are the causes of the growing trend of longer working hours?

• Companies are under pressure to work longer hours in order to stay up with worldwide competition and maintain their market share.
• Cost-cutting: Instead of hiring more workers, employers may lengthen working hours to save money and increase productivity.
• Increased demand: As the demand for goods and services develops, businesses may feel compelled to work longer hours to keep up.
• Technology advances have made it easier to work remotely, leading to an expectation of being available and connected 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Employers may offer more flexible schedules, but with the assumption that employees will work longer hours to finish responsibilities.
• Economic growth is prioritised by mainstream economists, even if it comes at the expense of labour and human rights. They believe that expanding exports and working longer hours will contribute to economic prosperity.
• Subsidies and exemptions: To attract global and local capital, regional governments offer subsidies and exemptions, and businesses may prefer weaker unions in exchange for these benefits.

What are the worries about longer working hours?

• Adversely Influencing Health: Extending working hours can cause physical and emotional tiredness, stress, and burnout, all of which can harm workers’ health. As a result, absenteeism, accidents, and medical costs may increase.
• Diminished Marginal Productivity: As the number of hours worked increases, the worker’s efficiency and productivity may drop, resulting in a decrease in output quality. It can also reduce workers’ quality of life because they have less time for family and leisure activities.
• Increased Working Hours: Increasing working hours can be a breach of workers’ fundamental rights since it denies them the right to rest and leisure, which are vital for their physical and mental well-being.
• Increased working hours might lead to job insecurity since firms may replace workers with automation or outsourcing to save money. It may also result in wage decreases because companies may argue that they are paying for additional working hours.
• Increased Working Hours Have a Negative Impact on Women Workers: Increasing working hours might disproportionately harm women workers, who may be responsible for household tasks and childcare. Long working hours can result in a loss in physical and mental health as well as an increase in workload, which can have a negative impact on their family life.

Why is it vital to set work hours?

• Workers’ health protection: Working long hours can be harmful to workers’ physical and emotional health. It can cause exhaustion, stress, sleep disturbances, and other health problems.
• Improving workplace safety: Overworked employees may get weary, increasing the risk of workplace accidents and injuries. Working hours might be regulated to help promote a safe and healthy work environment.
• Promoting work-life balance: Working long hours can have a negative impact on employees’ personal lives, diminishing their time with family and friends and limiting their capacity to participate in other activities outside of work. Working hours can be regulated to promote a good work-life balance.
• Improving Productivity: Studies have shown that working long hours can reduce productivity and increase errors and accidents. Employers can ensure that their employees are well-rested and productive by restricting working hours.
• Preserving workers’ rights: Working hours regulation is a critical component of preserving workers’ rights. It aids in the prevention of exploitation and guarantees that workers are adequately compensated for their time and labour.

@the end

May Day commemorates the struggle of workers for their rights. In this setting, India must prioritise labour welfare and limit working hours to boost social welfare. The government must ensure that labour rules are not eroded, and trade unions must band together to preserve workers’ rights. Multinational firms must be held accountable for training their employees and not taking advantage of the cheap labour available in developing countries. Only then will India be able to progress towards inclusive and sustainable development.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/international-labour-day-india-eight-hour-work-day-8585221/